Gnats are easy to get rid of. There are many inexpensive methods.
Have you noticed a lot of tiny flying pests in your house, especially in areas around your plants? Do they appear more frequently after you water those plants? Does it seem like every time you kill one, there are five more the next day?
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1. SMOTHER THE SOIL
Because gnats and fruit flies lay their eggs in the top layer of soil, you can prevent their larvae from being able to climb out by spreading a layer of aquarium gravel or coarse sand over the top of the soil. Make sure to pack it in well. The larvae will die trapped beneath, and you should be pest-free within a day or so.
Bonus: it looks great, too - and not just with succulents and cacti!
2. MAKE YOUR OWN STICKY TRAP
Make a DIY sticky trap with a 3 x 5 index card, a highlighter, a wooden stick (paint stirrer or dowel rod) and petroleum jelly. First, color both sides of the card with the highlighter to make it attractive to the flies and gnats. Then, attach it to the stick or rod with glue or staples. Finally, coat both sides of the card with a thick layer of petroleum jelly, and stick that baby in your planter and wait for them to take the bait. Repeat as necessary until they’ve all been lured to their deaths.
3. MAKE YOUR OWN DROWNING TRAP
It’s easy to make a DIY trap with what you have in your fridge. Using apple cider vinegar mixed with fruit juice or beer, pour your liquid solution to about 1/4” from the bottom in a plastic cup. (Other kinds of vinegar or alcohol will work too.) Then add a drop of liquid dish soap and stir. If you want to speed up the process, you can also add a chunk of ripe fruit like banana or melon, making sure it protrudes above the liquid - it will attract pests faster than liquid alone. Using plastic wrap, cover the top of the cup and secure it with a rubber band, then poke some holes in it with a toothpick. Your trap is complete!
(Image credit: Joe Lingeman)
All you have to do now is set it on a shelf or somewhere near your plant. They’re attracted to fermentation (to lay their eggs) and won’t be able to resist crawling in those holes and investigating the liquid. Once they touch down, even though they would normally be able to walk on top, the soap in the solution breaks the surface tension and prevents their escape, causing them to drown. When you’re done with the trap, just tape over the holes and dump it in the trash. Good riddance!
4. USE SPUD POWER
Got potatoes just lying around? Cut them up into small, 1/2” pieces and set several of them on the soil of your planter. Larvae will climb out of the soil to feed on them within a day or two. If you don’t see them on the chunks, check for holes and bite marks. Simply collect the pieces, seal them in a plastic bag and discard.
